Efficacy of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

This study investigated the efficacy and toxic effects of the combination of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty-five cases clinically diagnosed as having HCC were enrolled in the study from January, 2009 to December, 2010. All the patients received TACE combined with sorafenib (400 mg) twice per day. The tumour response was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (mRECIST) criteria following every 4 to 6 weeks. Moreover, safety and response were assessed. TACE in combination with sorafenib was successfully administered in 33 patients: mean age, 52.6 years; child’s A, 76%; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C, 46%; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0, 1 and 2, 27%, 64% and 9% respectively. Among the 33 cases that were evaluated, complete response was achieved in 2 cases, partial response in 14 cases, stable disease in 11 cases, and stable progressive disease in 6 cases. The total disease control rate was 81.8%, median time to tumour progression was 8.6 months, and time was 15.4 months. The most common toxicities were hand-foot skin reaction (63.6%), fatigue (60.6), and anorexia (54.5%). The combination of sorafenib and TACE in patients with unresectable HCC resulted in longer survival time. In addition, the treatment was well tolerated and safe.   Key words: Combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), sorafenib, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).